Electric lamp.



M. S. OKUN.

ELECTRIC LAMP APPLICATIQN FILED 1AN.26.1912- RENEWED JUNE 22, I916.

1,214,81 6. Patented Feb. 6, 1917.

- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MOSES SOLOMON OKUN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR 0F. ONE-THIRD TO GLEN E. SMITH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

nnncrnrc LAMP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 6, 1917.

Application filed January 26, 1912, Serial No. 373,684. Renewed June 22, 1916. Serial No. 105,292.

To all whom it may concern:

- Be it known that I, MosEs S. OKUN, citizen of the United States, and resident of New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improved Electric Lamps, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to constructa simple, cheap and eflicient electric lamp in which a great percentage of electric energy is transferred into light.

My invention relates to such types of electric lamps in which the light is produced by passing an electric current through a weak contact between two or more electrodes, touching one another at a slight pressure. These lamps are commonly called semi-incandescent lamps.

In my invention I provide means to prevent the fusion or the sticking of the electrodes to one another, such sticking of the electrodes is the result of the excessive heat developed at the point of contact. The fusion or the sticking of the electrodes reduces considerably the electrical resistance of. said contact and interferes with the successful operation of the lamp.

I also provide means whereby the electric current heats the points of both electrodes to such degree as to produce light by the points or the end of both of them. In order to attain such results, I make both elec-- trodes of such cross-sectional area as to permit a great concentration of heat at their point of contact, so as to heat up the points of both electrodes substantially to the same degree. I also make both of the electrodes of substantially the same cross-sectional area. I also employ a magnet or a solenoid to regulate automatically the pressure. between the electrodes and to prevent the fusion or the sticking of the electrodes to one another. I also provide means to retard the consumption of the electrodes and to prolong the life of the same as much as possible. For this purpose I place the electrodes or the endsof the electrodes in a vacuum or in an inclosure into which the outside air has a .very difficult access I have illustrated my invention in the accompanying drawings, where Flgures 1, 2, 3 and 1 represent vertlcal sectional views of different modifications of my invention.

*multiple.

Referring to Fig. 1, ordinals l and 2 represent the electrodes of my lamp, which are both preferably made of substantially the same cross-sectional area. These electrodes are made of a carbon, titanium, tungsten, vanadium or of any other material having a high melting point.

The electrodes 1 and 2 are placed in the inclosed globe 3 which is pressed by the spring 5 against the cover 4. If necessary the globe 3 can be cemented to the cover 4, so as to secure an absolutely air tight connection between them. The electrode 2 is fastened to the metallic rod 13, while the electrode 1 is carried by the iron core 6, which slides in the tube 8 and which is operated by the magnetic device 7. In the embodiment chosen for illustration, the magnetic device is a solenoid 7. The tube 8 is closed air tight by the cap 14 and is provided with an air tight valve 15 through which the air of the globe 3 can be pumped out. The winding of the solenoid 7 is placed in series with the electrodes of the lamp,

and is connected with the binding posts 9 and 11, which are connected with the line.

The current passes through the binding post 11 (which is insulated by the insulating material 12 from the cover 4:), electrodes 1 and 2, rod 13, binding post 10 (which is also insulated by the insulating material 12 from the cover 4) solenoid 7 and binding post 9.

When the air is pumped out from the globe 3' the valve 15 is closed, so that no air can get into the globe.

This lamp can be used with an alternating or continuous current, also in series or in The voltage-and amperage used in my lamp, can be varied to fit the conditions for which the lamp is constructed. The object of the solenoid 7 is to regulate the current passing through the lamp. Suppose the lamp is' constructed for 10 amperes; when the current is turned on, the weight of the iron core establishes a good electrical connection between the electrodes 1 and 2, causing a stronger current than 10 amperes to pass through the lamp and through the solenoid 7; this increases the action of the solenoid 7 upon the core 6; as a result of itthe pressure between the electrodes 1 and 2 is reduced; this increases the electrical resistance of the contact between them and reduces the current to its normal strength of 10 amperes.

Fig. 2 represents another modification of my invention. lln this modification, the winding of the solenoid 7 is of greater electrical resistance for the reason that it is -made of fine wire. This winding of the sole noid 7 is placed in multiple or in'shunt with the electrodes 1 and 2 and not in series as in the lamp shown in Fig. 1. The solenoid 7 in Fig. 2 regulates the voltage of the lamp and not the current as in Fig. 1. This form of lamp is particularly adapted for use in series on lines of constant current. -When not in operation the electrodes -1" and-2 are separated by the spring'21 which acts upon the core '6. The winding of the solenoid .7

is connected with'thebinding posts 19 and 20; the binding posts 19 and 20 are also connected with the line. The binding post-19 is also connected with the electrode 1 while the binding post 20 is connected with the electrode 2. Whenthe current is turned on,

the solenoid 7 acting upon the core 6 (which reacts upon'the spring 21) brings in contact the electrodes 1 and 2, causing an electric current topass through them.- When the pressure between the electrodes 1 and 2- is too great, the voltage of the lamp decreases, reducing-the current in the shunt winding of the solenoid 7 and also the action of the solenoid *5 upon the core '6; the spring 21 acting upon the core 6 reducesthe pressure and increases the resistance between the elec trodes, thus bringing lamp to its nor- .l voltage. i

in 3 represents another modification of nvention. 1 this modification the globe 3 which is oft cyli term is placed abcve the solenoid 'l. ae core 6 with the lower electrode stened to it, is pressed by spring 10 against as upper electrode 1.

open at both ends and is pro- The globe is vided with covers t an d are cemented. the e The line is connected with the conductors not. a. .w.

Clll'l ent passes chi ough the tallic cover ll, electrodes 1 the electrodes, *mal oi? the globe both ends is which preferably eia-sic which the air of the globe can be pumped out. The line is connected with the binding posts 16 and 19. The current passes through the binding post 19, cover ll, electrodes 1 and 2, iron core 6, spring 13, cover 9, spring 2 1, conductor 25, solenoid 7, conductor 17, and binding post 16. The operation of this lamp is the same as that of the lamp shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

-My invention can be operated successfully without pumping outthe air from the globe, as the globe in my lamp is tightly closed and no outsideair can enter into the same.

. The free oxygen contained in the globe will be consumed quickly and the further consumption of the electrodes will be discontinued. When the points of the electrodes are burned or used up the iron core slides down (as in Figs. 1 and 2) or is pressed up by the spring (as in Figs. 3 ands) and establishes again an electrical connection between the electrodes 1 and 2. Instead of using a solenoid for the magnetic device for the-purpose of regulating'the pressure between the electrodes; a regular magnet could be employed.

My improved electric lamp may be'used wherever apparatus of this class is desired, the apparatus shown and described in the specification is merely illustrative, and changes in and modifications of the con struction herein described, may be made within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of my invention or sacrificing its advantages.

I claim-- 1 Lain electric lamp hav ng electrodes, means for engaging the elec odes in contact under slight pressure dv ing the operation of the lamp and means to automatically the electrical resistance of said con- I tact, so as to maintain e cnrrent he voltage of the lampappro; lately constant, substantially as descriliecl.

2. electric h under slight pressure during the operation of the lamp, means to separate the said electrodes When the current is not passing I through the lamp and means operated by the electric current for regulating the pressure of; the contact of the electrodes, substantially as described.

5. An electric lamp having electrodes, means for engaging the electrodes in contact under slight pressure during the operation of the lamp, means to regulate automatically the electrical resistance of said contact, so as to maintain the current and the voltage of the lamp approximately constant, an inclosure from Which the air is exhausted and into which said electrodes are placed in order to retard the consumption of the same, substantially as described.

6. An ele'ctric .Iamp having electrodes, means for engaging the electrodes under slight pressure during the operation of the lamp, an electromagnetic device to regulate the electrical resistance of said contact, so as to maintain the current and voltage of the lamp approximately constant, an inclosure from which the air is exhausted and into which said electrodes are placed in order to retard the consumption of the same, substantially as described.

7. An electric lamp, having electrodes, means for engaging the electrodes in contact under slight pressure during the operation of the lamp and means operated by the electric current passing through the lamp to prevent the sticking or fusion of the electrodes to one another, substantially as described.

8. An electric lamp having electrodes, means for engaging the electrodes in contact under slight pressure during the operation of the lamp, an electromagnetic device for the purpose of preventing the fusion or the sticking of the electrodes one to another, an inclosure from which the air is exhausted and into which said electrodes are placed in order to retard the consumption of the same, substantially as described.

Signed at the city of New York in the county of New York and State of New York this 25th day of January A. D. 1912.

MOSES SOLOMON OKUN. Witnesses: NICHOLAS ALEINIKOFF,

JACOB MANUEL. 

